HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-13; City Council; 11; Donation from the Joyce Gammon Trust EstateCA Review AZ
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Staff Contact:
Subject:
Districts:
Jan. 13, 2026
Mayor and City Council
Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director
suzanne.smithson@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2011
Donation from the Joyce Gammon Trust Estate
All
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting a $60,810.99 donation distribution from the Joyce Gammon Trust
to the City of Carlsbad Library & Cultural Arts Department and authorizing the City Manager or
designee to accept any remaining donation distributions from the Joyce Gammon Trust.
Executive Summary
Joyce Gammon, a longtime patron of the Georgina Cole Library, bequeathed funds to the
Carlsbad City Library through the Joyce Gammon Trust to support services for homebound
patrons, including book delivery and accessible materials. Following further trust accounting,
the Carlsbad City Library was designated to receive an additional $60,810.99 distribution from
her estate to support delivery services to homebound patrons.
Carlsbad Municipal Code 2.08.100 requires the City Council’s approval for the city to accept
donations over $5,000.
Explanation & Analysis
Joyce Gammon, who passed away in April 2023, was a lifelong lover of books. She registered for
the homebound book delivery program when she could no longer get to the library. After
developing vision problems, she needed large type books and audiobooks. Over the years, Ms.
Gammon frequently told staff she was going to donate to the library to support the
homebound program, including the purchase of additional large type books and audiobooks.
Staff plan to recognize the donation with name plates honoring Joyce Gammon in each book
purchased with her gift. Staff also plan to explore ways to expand homebound services using
this generous donation.
The Carlsbad City Library received an initial $387,115 donation from the Joyce Gammon Trust in
June 2024. This additional $60,810.99 donation was received following further trust accounting.
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The Joyce Gammon Trust is currently holding a reserve for any outstanding estate expenses,
which may result in one final distribution from the estate.
Fiscal Analysis
The Joyce Gammon donation will be deposited in a Library & Cultural Arts Donations Special
Revenue Fund, with a designation for expenditures on supporting delivery services to
homebound patrons.
Next Steps
Staff will deposit the funds in the special revenue fund in accordance with Joyce Gammon’s
wishes.
Environmental Evaluation
The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines
Section 15378(b)(4) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section
15602(c)(3) because accepting the donation is a government fiscal activity and does not in itself
involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant
physical impact on the environment. Accepting the donation does not have a legally binding
effect on any possible future discretionary action. The activities or projects for which this
funding will be used may require preparation of an environmental document in accordance
with CEQA and CEQA Guidelines. The proposed action will not foreclose review of alternatives
or mitigation measures by the public as part of the environmental review process.
Exhibit
1. City Council resolution
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #11 Page 2 of 4
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Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-010 .
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING A $60,810.99 DONATION DISTRIBUTION FROM
THE JOYCE GAMMON TRUST TO THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LIBRARY &
CULTURAL ARTS DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR
DESIGNEE TO ACCEPT ANY REMAINING DONATION DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
THE JOYCE GAMMON TRUST
WHEREAS, Joyce Gammon bequeathed funds to the Carlsbad City Library through the Joyce
Gammon Trust to support services for homebound patrons; and
WHEREAS, the Carlsbad City Library received an initial $387,115 donation from the Joyce
Gammon Trust in June 2024; and
WHEREAS, following further trust accounting, the Carlsbad City Library received an additional
$60,810.99 donation from the Joyce Gammon Trust, which will be deposited in the Library & Cultural
Arts Donations Special Revenue Fund to be used in accordance with Joyce Gammon’s wishes; and
WHEREAS, the Joyce Gammon Trust is currently holding a reserve for any outstanding estate
expenses, which may result in one final donation distribution from the estate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Section 21065 and CEQA
Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4) and does not require environmental review under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15602(c)(3) because accepting the donation is a government fiscal
activity and does not in itself involve any commitment to any specific project which may
result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Accepting the
donation does not have a legally binding effect on any possible future discretionary
action. The activities or projects for which this funding will be used may require
preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA and CEQA
Guidelines. The proposed action will not foreclose review of alternatives or mitigation
measures by the public as part of the environmental review process.
3.That the City Council accepts a $60,810.99 donation from the Joyce Gammon Trust,
which will be directed to the Library & Cultural Arts Donations Special Revenue Fund to
be used in accordance with Joyce Gammon’s wishes.
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4.That the City Council authorizes the City Manager or designee to accept any remaining
donation distributions from the Joyce Gammon Trust and to execute any applicable and
necessary documentation.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
of Carlsbad on the 13th day of January, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: None.
______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 13, 2026 Item #11 Page 4 of 4
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